Caution tempers Cyprus talks

Thes meeting began with smiles and optimism

By Tabitha Morgan in Nicosia

As beginnings go this was as good as one could have expected.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Rauf Denktash, leader of the Turkish Cypriots, have committed themselves to an intensive series of talks with a view to finding a solution to the island's problems by the summer.

Despite the air of optimism the test will come when the two men tackle the major issues

The signs were positive when the two men arrived to begin talks on Wednesday morning.

They smiled and greeted each other as they entered one of the buildings at the deserted Nicosia International Airport which forms part of the UN buffer zone keeping Greek and Turkish Cypriots apart.

They were together for only 90 minutes but it was long enough for them to agree on a schedule for the months ahead. Regular meetings will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting next week.

'Business-like'

United Nations special representative Alvaro de Soto said that the talks had got off to a good start and that negotiations were proceeding in "a business-like manner."

Even before this meeting diplomats and UN officials were saying that the chances of this round of negotiations succeeding where others had failed were promising.

In large part this is because the Republic of Cyprus is expected to accede to the European Union in 2004, with or without a solution.

This prospect has concentrated minds on both sides of the divide and provoked strong reactions from Greece and Turkey.

Ankara said recently that if the Republic of Cyprus joined Europe before a settlement was reached it would consider annexing the northern part of the island.

Greece has long made it plain that if Cyprus's path to European membership is delayed it will veto any further expansion of the union.

Another factor is the age of the two leaders involved. President Clerides is 82, Mr Denktash is 78, and diplomats say both would like to take the credit for reaching a settlement in their lifetimes.

Major issues

Despite the air of optimism surrounding the opening meeting on Wednesday, the test of whether this really is a new beginning will come when the two men tackle the major issues that have dogged progress until now.

Our main concern is that this country cannot be legally divided

Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioanis Casoulides

One such issue is the continuing presence of Turkish troops on the island - there since the Turkish army invaded northern Cyprus in 1974.

The troops must stay, say many Turkish Cypriots, to guarantee their safety. Greek Cypriots say there can be no solution as long as the troops remain on Cypriot soil.

Then there is the question of the demand of Greek Cypriot refugees to be able to return to their homes in the north. Many of these are now occupied by Turkish Cypriots and by immigrants from Turkey.

But perhaps most difficult of all will be the issue of sovereignty. Up to now Mr Denktash has always insisted on recognition for his breakaway republic and on Cyprus becoming a two state confederation.

This prospect is rejected out of hand by Greek Cypriots who maintain that the island must remain united. "Our main concern is that this country cannot be legally divided," said Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioanis Casoulides.

So the upbeat beginning by no means guarantees a successful conclusion.